If any manager can do it, it's Quatraro. And we shouldn't sleep on the analytics department who help with lineup suggestions. There's a science to this. Not always, but it's there.
The Royals need a solid bat in the 5 hole to give Salvy some protection. As soon as Massey went down pitchers began pitching Salvy differently. Maybe Freddy can be that guy.
A sort of philosophical question: An outfield of Rooker in left and a platoon of O'Hearn & Renfroe would be pretty good right now. Did the Royals give up too quickly on Rooker & O'Hearn, esp. since they received nothing in trade, or do you think those guys needed to move on, hear new voices to be successful?
I think it was the latter. At least in the case of O’Hearn. He needed a fresh start. I don’t think they ever considered Rooker more than a guy to fill out the roster.
Too bad teams feel compelled to carry as many relievers as the law allows, because a third catcher on the roster would make it a lot easier to have all three of Salvy, Vinnie, and Freddy in the lineup at the same time (and I think Q's done a pretty good job of getting them all in there). Or the Royals could just take a chance that nothing will happen to whomever is catching that night.
Q has done a good job keeping guys fresh. I would think that Melendez is the “emergency” catcher should they need a third-stringer in a game. And it would be for just a few innings before they got someone up the next day if necessary. I’ve come to accept 13 pitchers as the way we’re moving forward in this game. Doesn’t mean I like it.
Honestly, I forgot about MJ's past life as a catcher. I guess because he looks like a decent enough outfielder. Now there's no excuse not to have all three in the lineup (besides a rest day, of course)! Totally with you on the 13 pitchers.
Seems like Freddy and Salvy should both be playing about 5 times a week. Hopefully, Q can make that happen.
If any manager can do it, it's Quatraro. And we shouldn't sleep on the analytics department who help with lineup suggestions. There's a science to this. Not always, but it's there.
The Royals need a solid bat in the 5 hole to give Salvy some protection. As soon as Massey went down pitchers began pitching Salvy differently. Maybe Freddy can be that guy.
A sort of philosophical question: An outfield of Rooker in left and a platoon of O'Hearn & Renfroe would be pretty good right now. Did the Royals give up too quickly on Rooker & O'Hearn, esp. since they received nothing in trade, or do you think those guys needed to move on, hear new voices to be successful?
I think it was the latter. At least in the case of O’Hearn. He needed a fresh start. I don’t think they ever considered Rooker more than a guy to fill out the roster.
Too bad teams feel compelled to carry as many relievers as the law allows, because a third catcher on the roster would make it a lot easier to have all three of Salvy, Vinnie, and Freddy in the lineup at the same time (and I think Q's done a pretty good job of getting them all in there). Or the Royals could just take a chance that nothing will happen to whomever is catching that night.
Q has done a good job keeping guys fresh. I would think that Melendez is the “emergency” catcher should they need a third-stringer in a game. And it would be for just a few innings before they got someone up the next day if necessary. I’ve come to accept 13 pitchers as the way we’re moving forward in this game. Doesn’t mean I like it.
Honestly, I forgot about MJ's past life as a catcher. I guess because he looks like a decent enough outfielder. Now there's no excuse not to have all three in the lineup (besides a rest day, of course)! Totally with you on the 13 pitchers.
Any chance Freddy can play a little outfield on the days Salvy catches and Q needs to work somebod;y else in at DH? I am not entirely joking.
His bat is mos def better than Velazquez and Blanco (combined).